Thomas W. Free

April 27, 2010

STAUNTON — Dr. Thomas W. Free, 64, of Staunton, formerly of Kintnersville, Pa., died Thursday a fternoon, April 22, 2010, in Caldwell County, N.C. He is the husband of Joan L. (Custer) Free. He was born May 14, 1945, in Philadelphia, to the late Claire (Gaugler) and William Henry Free.

Tom graduated from Palisades High School in 1964, Bloomsburg University in 1968 with a BS and Lehigh University in 1974 with a MS, where he received a doctorate of education. Tom also had studied in India in the 1970s. He started his teaching career at the Pennsbury School District in 1968-69, then at Palisades in 1969 as a social studies teacher at the junior/senior high school. In 1974, he was assistant principal of the junior/senior high school and acting principal and acting superintendent from 1981-82. He was appointed Oct. 21, 1981, as superintendent of Palisades schools until retiring June 30, 1998. He coached wrestling, soccer and baseball while working at Palisades. The street between Durham Nockamixon School and Palisades High school was named Thomas Free Drive in recognition of the years of service he gave the Palisades School District. While living in Pennsylvania, Tom also was an active member of Springfield Township Lion's Club and Quakertown Hospital Board.

After retirement, he and his wife moved to Virginia, where he was employed by the Commonwealth of Virginia in social services for several years until 2009. He continued his passion for education by working as a volunteer for an elementary school environmental education program. Tom was a past president and active member of Pleasant View- Spring Hill Ruritan Club. Tom was an avid fisherman, he loved growing vegetables and was passionate about reading and music. Tom worked hard to make a positive impact on the world, and he believed strongly in the value of a good education. His entire professional career was dedicated to improving the quality of education available to students in the Palisades School District. Tom had a competitive nature and loved to ponder tough questions. Many of his friends and family were put at a distinct disadvantage when debating with him, playing hearts with him or fishing with him. His love for his wife and daughters was strong and grew even stronger with the arrival of three grandsons between 2007 and 2009. His open-minded approach to life, his intellectual curiosity and his passion for friends and family will be sorely missed.

In addition to his loving wife of 41 years, survivors include daughters, Rebecca J. Free, wife of Jeffrey W. Tober, of Bordentown, N.J., and Rachel F., wife of Michael A. Dulaney, of Verona; siblings, Judy, wife of James Gargone, of Riegelsville, Pa., William Free and his wife, Judy, of Chocowinity, N.C., Joseph Free and his wife, Carol, of Bethlehem, Pa., and Linda, wife of Robert Nicholas, of Riegelsville; and three grandsons, Noah Ryan Dulaney and Henry Thomas and Peter William Tober.

He was predeceased by siblings, Merry Lynne Armstrong and Nancy Reilly.

Family and friends are invited to call from 2 to 4 p. m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc. at 326 Main St. in Hellertown, Pa.

Private interment will take place at Riegelsville Union Cemetery. A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010, at Palisades Middle School at 4719 Durham Road in Kintnersville. A reception will follow in the school cafeteria. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at www. heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are in recognition of Tom's dedication to the Palisades School District; an education fund is being established. Donations can be made out to the Dr. Thomas W. Free Education Fund and sent c/o Heintzelman Funeral Home, 326 Main St., Hellertown, PA 18055.

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